Man of the match display!

Anna's team is used to loosing - anything up to 25-0, yes 25-0! However, with a new coaching team that focuses on teaching them the basics and playing as a team, passing to each other and being organised, they seem to be making progress. After a very shaky start of conceding four goals in the first three minutes, it finally started to click and they came in with a credible 7-0 defeat, had several chances cleared off the line, hit the post twice and thundered the cross bar. What I love about Anna and the boys she plays with, they simply just go out and enjoy themselves and never moan despite the heavy defeats. They are a real credit to all their parents and to do this takes integrity and good values. Anna came off the pitch like she had won the premier league, when the coaches told her she put in a 'man of the match display' with her crunching tackles and great defending, she beamed with joy. I really enjoyed watching her and was pleased with the simple fact the score line reflected their progress and hard work. Well done all. Next stop actually scoring a goal and a victory in the league! Looking forward to the game next week and that maiden league win???

The Ipod generation!

I previously alluded to how much I love Lucy sending me messages from her IPod. Today I am not so sure I was right. Anna now has my old phone (minus the ability to call) and today I was what can only be described as spammed by my children, as both the girls continued to send me random messages and emoji (note the use of a very trendy and modern word!) that really did not have any context or meaning! They even managed to have a row by sending each other messages, my girls really know how to take things to a new level! Anna may have developed into a cyber bully in twenty four quick hours as she trolled her sister with relentless focus through out the day. Learning new boundaries within the use of technology is definitely going to have to be the prime parental focus in our house in the coming weeks. I am not sure there is much I can teach them as they already wipe the technological floor with me. Over to you Mrs Hammond....

I have to deal with so many different looks!

I am getting quite skilled if I don't mind saying so at dealing with and reading the female looks, facial expressions and cues in the Hammond house after all these years of practice. The lovely ladies in my life regularly express themselves in silent and deadly fashion. The looks can mean all manner of things and even the dog is developing a repertoire! There are 'death' stares that usually express disgust or anger at me, the 'slightly feral' stare (mainly an Anna gold star expression), the 'please can I have some money' stare, the long and lingering 'please can I have some serious cash' stare (usually practiced by Amy) and the most effective puppy dog eyes on the planet, that are Lucy's favourite weapon and one I often declare defeat to. I think I am skilled, but in reality I am probably doomed and we have not even got to the teenage years yet!

Fossil hunting with their old dad!

Ambling and strolling along the beach at West Runton looking for fossils in the rock pools with the girls has to be as close to parenting utopia as I will ever get. Just chatting alongside the excitement of the finds is just great. Lucy loves it and has a habit of finding some beautiful stones and finds. Anna goes for quantity and I lost count of the times she excitedly declared 'I found one!' We are only searching for belemnites that are not exactly rare and as a family we are accumulating jars of the things at home. We are definitely not going to make archaeologists of the year, but our drink and count up after our walk in the beautiful spring Norfolk sunshine was such a simple and lovely time with the girls. Their competitive spirit shines through as they try to outdo each other in the 'who has the fattest, longest, best end and best looking' competition was priceless and good fun. Ice cream and arcades at Cromer made the day even better!

A little bit of something different for Easter...

I am not sure we could say that we have observed a traditional family Easter in the Hammond house but a new tradition has been born (coupled with much chocolate as usual!) in 'Easter cocktails and nibbles' at Libby's house on Saturday. It was such a lovely evening that there is no choice but to repeat every year from now on! Anna, in particular enjoyed the cocktails and the very late night! It was due to be a packed family weekend with lunch with Granny and Grandpa on Sunday, however it will have to be another time as Granny was very poorly - get well soon - all be it at a distance until you are not contagious! A quiet one has worked out well as Amy and the girls shake off the effects of a long and hard term at school and the rest of Easter Sunday involved watching films by the fire as a storm came through and the weather was not conducive to family time in the fresh air or activity. Just the excuse we needed!

A week of two halves...

After the phenomenal shift of effort and hard work into various activities by put in by both the girls in recent weeks, sadly the outcomes and successes have been different. Anna - had a superstar day on Friday in gaining her pen licence and a good work badge. The first girl in her class! Lucy, on the other hand, despite heroic effort and hard work, had to learn the lesson that sometimes the outcome isn't always how we would like, having not been successful in her Monday evening trial for the Dereham Otters Swimming club. I am so proud of how she has positively reacted and is willing to go away and practice and try again in a couple of months. Possible trial for the Wells swimming club though next week, so watch this space. We were so disappointed for her and she did so well. Amy is incensed! I am not sure I have seen Mrs Hammond this angry in years, beware the wrath of a loving mother when her babies are upset or threatened!!

Mothering Sunday finally goes without a hitch!

Finally we did it - we did it! Celebrating the 'yummy mummy' (and boy is she yummy!!) that is Mrs Hammond went without a hitch and we could all finally show her how much we appreciate and love her. Well almost - both girls managed not to throw up and survive the whole day without illness, unless you count the dog having slight loose bowels in the morning! We did conspire Anna and I to possibly pass on the stinking cold we have had to Amy but this could have been days before, so doesn't count! Anna nearly cocked it up and pointed out the hidden chocolates to Amy days before, but the girls did make some lovely cards and purchased a Beagle Fridge magnet. We had a wonderful lunch out with Grandma and Libby and finished the day off simply watching a film by the fire. Happy Mothering Sunday Amy - you are much loved and once again - thank you with all my heart for the two wonderful gifts you have given me in our children and all you do xx